muelle
/ˈmweʝe/masculine
The Spanish word for pier is muelle. Wiktionary also lists embarcadero and malecón.
Meaning: raised platform built from the shore out over water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| muelle | /ˈmweʝe/ | masculine |
| embarcadero | /embaɾkaˈdeɾo/ | masculine |
| malecón | /maleˈkon/ | masculine |
A pier is a raised platform built from the shore out over water. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, muelle can also mean a mechanical spring.
Which one should you use?
muelle is the most common term for a pier or dock used for mooring boats. embarcadero specifically refers to a landing place or wharf used for embarking and disembarking passengers or goods. malecón refers to a paved walkway or esplanade along a waterfront, often used for walking rather than for docking boats.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Cuba, the word malecón is used to refer to a pier or waterfront promenade.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmweʝe/
Did you know?
- The term embarcadero is built from the root barca, which can be traced back through Latin and Ancient Greek to an Egyptian word for a boat.
- While muelle is used for a pier, it is also the standard Spanish word for a 'spring' in a mattress or a machine.
- In Spanish, the verb embarcar used in embarcadero can be used for ships, planes or even trains.
Examples in context
- Ella lo empujó desde el muelle.She pushed him off the pier.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use muelle when someone is pushed from a pier.Tatoeba #1425782 by marcelostockle, translation #887346 by CK
- ¿Has visto un muelle alguna vez?Have you ever seen a pier?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever seen a muelle.Tatoeba #1539887 by marcelostockle, translation #806572 by sundown
- Tom estaba recostado en el muelle bronceándose.Tom was lying on the pier getting a suntan.This sentence is useful for describing someone lying on a muelle.Tatoeba #3056392 by marcelostockle, translation #1092385 by CK
- La conferencia se llevará a cabo cerca del muelle.The conference will take place near the pier.
- ¡Vamos al embarcadero para disfrutar del sol y el mar!Let's go to the pier to enjoy the sun and the sea!
- ¿Cómo llego al malecón desde aquí?How do I get to the pier from here?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are walking along a seaside town.
- Lucía¿Podemos caminar por el muelle?Can we walk along the pier?
- AlejandroSí, el muelle es muy largo.Yes, the pier is very long.
- LucíaMira, hay un pescador en el muelle.Look, there is a fisherman on the pier.
- AlejandroEs un paisaje muy bonito.It is a very beautiful landscape.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pier” translations and entries muelle, embarcadero, malecón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries embarcadero, malecón, muelle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
